Back drives Seahawks offense

Credit: AP photo

Offensively, the Seattle Seahawks unveiled both their best and worst traits Sunday in their miraculous 28-22 comeback win over Green Bay, erasing an early abomination by transforming into a juggernaut in their final three possessions.

The Seahawks are a running team at their core, led by bulldozer Marshawn Lynch and quarterback Russell Wilson, and they’ve got a complementary passing offense that sputters when pressured into leading the attack.

If the Patriots can stop the run, Wilson and an ordinary group of receivers are prone to mistakes. The problem is the entire league tries to stop Lynch on a weekly basis, and the 28-year-old still ripped off career highs in the regular season with 13 touchdowns, the NFL’s second most rushing yards (1,306) and yards per carry (4.7) .

The Seahawks’ read option runs were again their most dangerous asset against the Packers, who stifled them in a large way through three quarters before breaking apart down the stretch. Lynch (15 read option carries for 105 yards and one touchdown) and Wilson (2-16-1) combined for 121 yards and two scores on 17 carries while running the play. The Seahawks’ other 17 carries, excluding one kneel-down, amassed 74 yards and no end-zone trips.

“Seattle has a number of different runs that they execute as an offense,” Pats defensive coordinator Matt Patricia said. “They execute (the read option) at a very high level. It’s extremely dangerous. They do it from a number of different looks. They obviously have tremendous skill players that can handle the ball and handle that type of offense. Obviously, Marshawn Lynch is a huge problem in the run game, and so is Russell Wilson.”

Most impressively, the Seahawks stuck with the read option during their frantic comeback because it can be their most useful way to traverse the field. They ran 11 fourth-quarter plays after taking possession with 3:54 remaining while facing a 19-7 deficit, and they used the read option six times for 61 yards and both touchdowns.

Wilson’s first read option keeper occurred after defensive end Mike Neal broke his assignment as the quarterback spy by overcommitting to Lynch, and it resulted in Wilson’s 1-yard score. Wilson kept the momentum alive on the first play of the next possession with an athletic spurt toward the sideline for 15 yards, and Lynch closed the drive with a 24-yard score.

The defensive breakdowns were alarming after the Packers did a nice job to open the game, and the Patriots can follow a similar protocol, though they’re well-versed in defending the read option after dealing with AFC East quarterbacks Ryan Tannehill, Geno Smith and EJ Manuel for the last couple years.

The read option principles are basic. Wilson will line up in the shotgun with Lynch behind his right hip. Wilson will take the snap and eye the right defensive edge (Lynch’s side) to assess whether a Patriots defender is crashing toward Lynch (resulting in a Wilson keeper) or protecting the edge to stop Wilson from running (resulting in a handoff to Lynch).

There are two important defensive strategies. If Lynch is on the right side, defensive end Rob Ninkovich could be the Wilson spy, or the Patriots could use a linebacker (Jamie Collins) or defensive back (Patrick Chung or Kyle Arrington) in that role outside Ninkovich, which the Packers utilized with success. To stop Lynch, the Pats have to figure he would run across Wilson and follow the left side of the offensive line, so the Pats can stagger their front seven accordingly.

Of course, there are variations to this formation and play. The Seahawks occasionally use two running backs to flank Wilson, and they also run play-action with the look.

Conversely, Wilson and the passing game were a wreck against the Packers with four interceptions, but he didn’t get any help, either. Wide receivers Jermaine Kearse (two drops that were intercepted) and Doug Baldwin (two drops), tight end Luke Wilson (two drops) and Lynch (one drop) were sloppy.

The Pats have a decisive advantage with their secondary against the Seahawks receivers, so they should try to win one-on-one on the outside and stack the box against Lynch, who is the offense’s true catalyst.

Stop Lynch at all costs and live and die with the Wilson matchup. That’s the way to combat the Seahawks.

“Certainly the running game is a big priority with both (Lynch and Wilson),” Belichick said.